Attention to undergraduate research (UGR) is not surprising given its widespread appeal and evidence of educational benefit. Tracking participation and identifying equity gaps in UGR are important markers of access to and equity in educationally beneficial experiences. Information about students' exposure to elements of quality in UGR and how this…

The purpose of this study is to use machine learning and exploratory data analysis to interrogate patterns of metrics from a national-level student survey. Analysis of over 1.8 million returns detected long-term stability of the predictors of student satisfaction, with survey items relating to course management and teaching being consistently most…

High-Impact Practices (HIPs), such as participating in undergraduate research, completing an internship, and creating a senior-capstone project, are becoming prominent within the academy. Scholars have surmised that aspects of HIP quality (e.g., student effort, peer collaboration, and faculty interaction) lead to greater desired outcomes for…

Quantitative researchers often account for aspects of identity such as race, ethnicity, and disability separately in their analyses. However, scholars have called for a critical approach to these data by disaggregating underserved student groups to better understand the experience of these students. In the current study, we analyzed data from the…

This paper reviews issues about quality including the United Kingdom government's statements (White Papers of 2011 and 2016) and the development of audits. Institutional educational policies could provide the basis for quality enhancement centred around the White Papers. The development of a 'quality framework' or schema for the production of…

High-impact practices (HIPs), such as undergraduate research, internships, and senior-capstone projects, are prominent within the academy. Scholars surmise aspects of HIP quality (e.g., student effort, peer collaboration, and faculty interaction) are related to desired outcomes for students (e.g., engagement, GPA, and satisfaction). Using data…

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and its companion projects serve bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities committed to assessing and improving the quality of the undergraduate experience. Created to offer a legitimate and actionable view of college quality, the survey focuses on activities and experiences that decades…

This article is an account of how one small liberal arts university undertook a large scale curriculum integration and assessment project under the auspices of a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP). After a review of relevant literature, the integration and assessment process is outlined, and the assessment data is analyzed and discussed. The…

The purpose of this student-faculty partnership research study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a blended four-year Bachelor of Education Elementary Program at a Canadian university using the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) framework. Data was collected from the first graduating cohort of students from the B.Ed. program in…

Quality is a multi-dimensional concept and embraces all functions and activities of higher education (academic programs, research, and community services) in all their features and components. Traditionally quality was a measure of resources and reputation. In recent years there has been a shift in emphasis to institutional best practices such as…

Distance education permeates the field of professional and continuing education to such an extent that quality assurance (QA) is a topic no distance educator or administrator should avoid. Quality assurance is an issue not just for continuing education but also for higher education generally. Given the disruptive impact of distance education and…

The student populations in colleges and universities in the United States have become more diverse in the students that they serve. It has been argued that disaggregation of student data would allow researchers to test the saliency of student development models. However, there is only a small body of research available on first-year Black male…

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) professionals generate a stream of scientific discoveries and technological innovations that fuel job creation and national economic growth. Ensuring a robust supply of these professionals is critical for sustaining growth and creating jobs growth at a time of intense global competition.…

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) and its companion projects serve bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities committed to assessing and improving the quality of the undergraduate experience. While each participating institution receives a detailed, customized "Institutional Report," the "Annual…

Thirteen years ago, 276 bachelor's-granting colleges and universities inaugurated a new approach to assessing college quality by participating in the first national administration of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). This report summarizes what was learned over the NSSE's first 13 years, why the survey is being updated, and new…